The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, Wales has secured a development grant to build on its vision to become a world-class centre for learning in the lead up to the 2014 centenary of the poet's birth.

The centre houses the largest collection of Thomas material of its kind, including unique archive material, rare manuscripts, artwork, photographs, books and original sound recordings.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has provided a £40,000 development grant, which will be used to develop plans and carry out interviews with the few living people who knew Thomas, to ensure these memories are saved for the future.

When the centre's plans are fully developed it can apply for a firm award of £800,000.

The proposed project would increase access to collections, digitise artefacts and see the appointment of an education officer and outreach officer, who would help develop writing workshops, events, activity packs and an exhibition to tour schools.

Swansea Council's cabinet member for regeneration Nick Bradley said: "Dylan Thomas is Swansea's most famous son whose worldwide legacy is enduring and it's vital we do all we can to mark, celebrate and promote his links with our city."